Wall module with close range communication

ABSTRACT

A wall module for use in a building control system includes a wall module controller and a first communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing wired communication with a remote building controller, and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller via the established wired communication. The wall module includes a second communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing short range wireless communication having a communication range of less than 60 feet with a portable handheld device, and for receiving instructions from the portable handheld device and for sending data to the portable handheld device via the establishing short range wireless communication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to building control systems that include wall modules and more particularly to wall modules that enable close field communication.

BACKGROUND

A variety of building control systems are known, and enable control of a variety of building systems such as HVAC systems, security systems, lighting systems and the like. Many of these systems employ wall modules that communicate with a building management system, with at least some of the logic operating the building management system being located remotely from the wall module(s). There is a desire for building occupants, particularly commercial building occupants, to gain remote access to information and/or features of the building management system in a secure manner.

SUMMARY

The disclosure pertains to building control systems that include wall modules for controlling features of the building control system. In an example, the disclosure pertains to a wall module for use in a building control system. The wall module includes a wall module controller and a first communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing wired (or wireless) communication with a remote building controller, and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller via the established wired communication. The wall module further includes a second communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing short range wireless communication having a communication range of less than, for example, 60 feet with a portable handheld device, and for receiving instructions from the portable handheld device and for sending data to the portable handheld device via the establishing short range wireless communication.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the features of the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a building control system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a building control system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method that may be carried out using the building control systems of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method that may be carried out using the building control systems of FIGS. 1 and 2.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several examples that are meant to be illustrative of the claimed disclosure.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic illustration of a building control system 10 that includes a wall module 12 and a building component 14. The building control system 10 may be configured to control or assist in controlling any variety of building components and/or systems. Illustrative but non-limiting examples of building systems include HVAC systems, security systems, lighting systems and the like. The wall module 12 may be configured to communicate with one or more building components, such as building component 14. If, for example, the building control system 10 is configured to control an HVAC system, the building component 14 may be a furnace, a boiler, a heat exchanger, an air conditioner, a humidifier, a zone damper, or the like.

The wall module 12 may, in some cases, directly control the building component 14 by providing one or more wired or wireless control signals to the building component 14. In some embodiments, however, the wall module 12 communicates with a building controller 16 (shown in phantom), which in turn controls the building component 14. For example, in the case of an HVAC system, the wall module 12 may include a thermometer such that the wall module can display a current temperature, and/or in some cases a temperature set point. In some cases, the wall module 12 may include a user interface that permits a user to change a temperature set point, or to simply turn the building component 14 on and off. In some embodiments, the wall module 12 may obtain and/or display information received from the building component 14 and/or the building controller 16. In some cases, the building controller 16 may send data to and receive data from a remote server 18 via a gateway 19. The gateway 19 may provide an interface between a Wide Area Network (WAN) 21 and a Local Area Network (LAN) 23. In some cases, the remote server 18 may be responsible for controlling a number of building controllers 16 within one or more buildings, and/or may provide remote access to the building controller(s) 16 via the WAN 21.

While a single wall module 12 is illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that in some cases there may be a plurality of wall modules 12 in a building. For example, in a retail mall situation, each individual store may have one or more wall modules 12. In an office building situation, each individual office or zone of offices may have a wall module 12. In some cases, each of the one or more wall modules 12 may report back to a building controller 16, which in some cases, the building controller 16 operates building components 14 appropriately. In some cases, one or more of the wall modules 12 may directly control one or more building components 14, and may also communicate with building controller 16.

In FIG. 1, an individual 20 is seen holding a handheld device 22. In some embodiments, the handheld device 22 permits the individual 20 to share data with the wall module 12 using any of a variety of short range communication protocols. In some embodiments, the handheld device 22 may be configured to communicate with the wall module 12 using a short range communications protocol having a nominal communication range of, for example, 500 feet or less, 300 feet or less, 200 feet or less, 100 feet or less, 60 feet or less, or 30 feet or less. Because of this limited nominal communication range, controlled physical access to the building, and thus the space near the wall module, also provides controlled communication access with the wall module 12. That is, having physical control of the space around the wall module also provides some level of control over communication with the wall module. In some cases, a password or other security measure may also be required before access to certain or all building control information is provided. In any event, these may help provide convenient yet more secure access to the building control system.

In some cases, the remote server 18 may securely communicate with the building controller 16 via the WAN 21, which can in turn securely communicate with the building controller 16 and/or wall module 12. As noted above, because of the short range communication between the handheld device 22 and the wall module 12, it will be appreciated that the handheld device 22 would need to be relatively close (e.g. about 60 feet or less) to the wall module 12 in order to communication with the wall module 12. Accordingly, someone at a location that is further from the wall module 12 than the short nominal communication range (e.g. 80 feet) would not be able to communicate with the wall module and access building control system 10 using a mobile device 22.

Illustrative but non-limiting examples of short range communications protocols include one or more wireless communication protocols such as ZigBee, REDLINK™, Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA, dedicated short range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and/or any other suitable common or proprietary wireless protocol, as desired. In some embodiments, the handheld device 22 may be configured to communicate with the wall module 12 via one or more of these short range communications protocols.

FIG. 2 provides further details regarding an illustrative wall module 12. In some embodiments, the wall module 12 may include a wall module controller 24 that is configured to carry out the functionality assigned to the wall module 12. In the case of an HVAC system, for example, the wall module controller 24 may be configured to receive a current temperature value from a thermometer (e.g. temperature sensor) located within the wall module 12 and to communicate the current temperature to a building controller 16 remote from the wall module 12. The wall module controller 24 may be operably coupled to a user interface (not shown) that enables a user to enter a temperature set point, which may also be communicated to the building controller 16.

In some instances, as illustrated, the wall module 12 may include a first communications module 26 that is operatively coupled to the wall module controller 24 in order to establish communication with a remote building controller 16 via a first communications protocol for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller 16 and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller 16. In some embodiments, the first communications module 26 is configured to establish wired communication with the remote building controller 16, and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller 16 and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller 16 via the established wired communication. In some embodiments, the first communications module 26 is configured to establish wireless communication with the remote building controller 16, and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller 16 and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller 16 via the established wireless communication.

The wall module 12 may, as illustrated, also include a second communications module 28 that is operatively coupled to the wall module controller 24 for establishing communication with the portable handheld device 22 via a second communications protocol different from the first communications protocol in order to receive instructions from the portable handheld device 22 and/or to send data to the portable handheld device 22. In some embodiments, the second communications module 28 may be configured to establish short range wireless communication having a nominal communication range of, for example less than 60 feet, with the portable handheld device 22, and for receiving instructions from the portable handheld device 22 and for sending data to the portable handheld device 22 via the establishing short range wireless communication.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, using a short range communications protocol to communicate between the wall module 12 and the handheld device 22 may enhance data security as this communication requires the physical presence of the individual 20 (FIG. 1) near the wall module 12 (e.g. in the building), and does not require data to leave the immediate area (e.g. outside of the building) or otherwise travel over a wide area network such as the Internet. In some instances, the handheld device 22 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a specialty handheld device, and/or any other suitable handheld device.

In some instances, the second communications module may be a wired communication module, and the individual 20 may plug-in the handheld device 22 to a communications port on the wall module 12. For example, the individual 20 may plug the handheld device 22 into a USB communications port on the wall module 12 to establish wired communication with the wall module 12 over the wired connections. The handheld device 22 may then securely access building control information from the remote building controller 16.

In some embodiments, the wall module controller 24 is programmed or otherwise configured to direct one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device 22 via the second communications module 28 to the remote building controller 16 via the first communications module 26. Examples of such instructions may include changing a set point such as a temperature set point, or changing from heating to cooling and vice versa, requesting access to and/or display of certain building control information, parameters, and/or settings of the remote building controller 16, changing certain building control information, parameters, and/or settings of the remote building controller 16 and/or wall module 12, and/or any other suitable instructions. In some cases, the wall module controller 24 is programmed or otherwise configured to direct at least some data received from the remote building controller 16 via the first communications module 26 to the portable handheld device 22 via the second communications module 28. In some embodiments, the wall module controller 24 is further programmed or otherwise configured to provide one or more control signals to one or more building components 14.

FIG. 3 provides a flow diagram illustrating an illustrative method that may be carried out using the building control systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates an illustrative method of securely communicating building control information in a building control system including a building controller (such as the building controller 16) and a wall module (such as the wall module 12) both disposed within a building such that the wall module is remote from the building controller. Building control information is communicated between the building controller and the wall module over a first communications network as generally indicated at block 30. In some embodiments, the building control information communicated between the building controller and the wall module includes one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device via the second communications network.

As seen at block 32, building control information is communicated between the wall module and a portable handheld device over a second communications network. In some cases, the building control information communicated between the wall module and the portable handheld device includes data received from the building controller via the first communications network. In some embodiments, the second communications network includes a short range wireless communications protocol having a nominal communication range that is, for example less than 60 feet, such that an individual using the handheld device can communicate directly with the wall module over the second communications network.

FIG. 4 provides a flow diagram illustrating an illustrative method that may be carried out using the building control systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates a method of securely communicating building control information in a building control system that includes a building controller and a wall module both disposed within a building such that the wall module is remote from the building controller. Building control information is communicated between the building controller and the wall module over a first communications network as generally indicated at block 30. In some instances, the building control information communicated between the building controller and the wall module includes one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device via the second communications network.

As seen at block 32, building control information is communicated between the wall module and a portable handheld device over a second communications network. In some cases, the building control information communicated between the wall module and the portable handheld device includes data received from the building controller via the first communications network. In some embodiments, the second communications network includes a short range wireless communications protocol having a nominal communication range that is, for example less than 60 feet, such that an individual using the handheld device can communicate directly with the wall module over the second communications network.

In some cases, and as generally indicated at block 34, the method may further include providing one or more control signals from the wall module to one or more components of the building control system, sometimes based on communications received from the handheld device and/or the building controller. In some embodiments, the one or more components of the building control system includes one or more of an HVAC component, a lighting component and a security system component.

The disclosure should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the disclosure can be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the instant specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall module for use in a building control system, the wall module comprising: a wall module controller; a first communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing wired communication with a remote building controller, and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller via the established wired communication; and a second communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing short range wireless communication having a communication range of less than 60 feet with a portable handheld device, and for receiving instructions from the portable handheld device and for sending data to the portable handheld device via the establishing short range wireless communication.
 2. The wall module of claim 1, wherein the wall module controller is configured to direct one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device via the second communications module to the remote building controller via the first communications module.
 3. The wall module of claim 1, wherein the wall module controller is configured to direct at least some data received from the remote building controller via the first communications module to the portable handheld device via the second communications module.
 4. The wall module of claim 1, wherein the wall module controller is further configured to provide one or more control signals to one or more components of the building control system.
 5. The wall module of claim 4, wherein the one or more components of the building control system comprises one or more of an HVAC component, a lighting component and a security system component.
 6. The wall module of claim 1, wherein the portable handheld device is a smartphone.
 7. The wall module of claim 1, wherein the portable handheld device is a tablet.
 8. A wall module for use in a building control system, the wall module comprising: a wall module controller; a first communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing communication with a remote building controller and for receiving instructions and/or data from the remote building controller and for sending instructions and/or data to the remote building controller; a second communications module operatively coupled to the wall module controller for establishing communication with a portable handheld device and for receiving instructions from the portable handheld device and for sending data to the portable handheld device; and wherein the first communications module implements a different communication protocol than the second communications module.
 9. The wall module of claim 8, wherein the first communications module is configured to establish wired communication with the remote building controller.
 10. The wall module of claim 8, wherein the second communications module is configured to establish wireless communication with the portable handheld device.
 11. The wall module of claim 10, wherein the second communications module is configured to establish short-range wireless communication having a range of less than 60 feet.
 12. The wall module of claim 10, wherein the second communications module is configured to establish WiFi communication with the portable handheld device.
 13. The wall module of claim 8, wherein the wall module controller is configured to direct one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device via the second communications module to the remote building controller via the first communications module.
 14. The wall module of claim 8, wherein the wall module controller is configured to direct at least some data received from the remote building controller via the first communications module to the portable handheld device via the second communications module.
 15. The wall module of claim 8, wherein the wall module controller is further configured to provide one or more control signals to one or more components of the building control system.
 16. The wall module of claim 15, wherein the one or more components of the building control system comprises one or more of an HVAC component, a lighting component and a security system component.
 17. A method of securely communicating building control information in a building control system including a building controller and a wall module both disposed within a building, the wall module remote from the building controller, the method comprising: communicating building control information between the building controller and the wall module over a first communications network; communicating building control information between the wall module and a portable handheld device over a second communications network, the second communications network comprising a short range wireless communications protocol having a communication range that is less than 60 feet; wherein an individual using the portable handheld device can communicate directly with the wall module over the second communications network.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the building control information communicated between the building controller and the wall module comprises one or more instructions received from the portable handheld device via the second communications network.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the building control information communicated between the wall module and the portable handheld device comprises data received from the building controller via the first communications network.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing one or more control signals from the wall module to one or more components of the building control system, wherein the one or more components of the building control system comprises one or more of an HVAC component, a lighting component and a security system component. 